SSD boot drive via USB

[Ndaa75]

hi guys, first post from a new and proud owner of a 27 inch iMac 14,2. My first.
Quick question, I've today upgraded the RAM to 24Gb since I do a lot of photo editing, but my main question is in respect of using a Samsung 850 EVO SSD housed in an Inateck 2.5 inch USB 3.0 UASP, as a boot drive using one of the USB connections on the rear of the monitor. Is this a good idea and what kind of read/write speeds can I expect?

Thanks
Neil

 

[CoastalOR]

I did a Blackmagic Disk Speed Test on a Samsung 850 EVO SSD housed in an Inateck 2.5 inch USB 3.0 UASP with my 2015 rMBP and had 295 Write & 428 Read.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:
Booting and running via USB3 is quick, easy, painless.
You won't really understand until you've tried it.

Insofar as speed is concerned, Coastal's post above is accurate.

Your read speeds will probably be in the 410-430mbps range.

Write speeds may vary a little depending on the individual drive. I'm getting 275mbps with a Crucial drive. Coastal got a little better with his Samsung. The differences are probably "too small to notice" in the real world.

 

[Ndaa75]

I did a Blackmagic Disk Speed Test on a Samsung 850 EVO SSD housed in an Inateck 2.5 inch USB 3.0 UASP with my 2015 rMBP and had 295 Write & 428 Read.

Thanks for the response.
[doublepost=1460128617][/doublepost]

OP:
Booting and running via USB3 is quick, easy, painless.
You won't really understand until you've tried it.

Insofar as speed is concerned, Coastal's post above is accurate.

Your read speeds will probably be in the 410-430mbps range.

Write speeds may vary a little depending on the individual drive. I'm getting 275mbps with a Crucial drive. Coastal got a little better with his Samsung. The differences are probably "too small to notice" in the real world.

So ideally then to fully benefit from the speed capabilities, I'd be better off internally mounting it?

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"So ideally then to fully benefit from the speed capabilities, I'd be better off internally mounting it?"

Are you willing to assume the risks of opening the iMac and then breaking something if the install "goes bad"?
Are you willing to void the warranty?

Think long and hard before doing these things...